Families who loved Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation by Mark Teague often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child feels like they are being unfairly blamed or when they are going through a particularly melodramatic phase. It is an ideal choice for the child who insists they are innocent despite evidence to the contrary, or for a family needing to inject some humor into a tense situation involving rules and consequences. The story follows Ike LaRue, a clever and highly dramatic dog who writes letters from a police station after being accused of a crime he claims he did not commit. Through Ike's skewed perspective, children explore themes of justice, creative problem solving, and the idea that there are two sides to every story. It is a brilliant way to discuss the difference between facts and feelings with elementary-aged children while enjoying some of the most expressive illustrations in modern children's literature.
